Funeral plans confirmed for murdered Sheffield organist

FULL details of the funeral of murdered Sheffield grandfather Alan Greaves have been revealed.

Roads will be closed, a big screen is being put up, and stewards are to be drafted in to marshal the crowds outside the service next Wednesday.

Mr Greaves, aged 68, was battered to death as he walked from his home to church to play the organ at a midnight service at St Saviour’s Church, High Green, on Christmas Eve.

Maureen Greaves, his widow, has requested the funeral be made open to all – and hundreds of people are expected to attend.

The service is happening at St Saviour’s, on Mortomley Lane, at noon.

Mourners are asked to arrive no later than 11.30am, and there will be road closures from the junction of Mortomley Lane and Wortley Road to the roundabout, and the junction of Greengate Lane and Mortomley Lane, from 10am to 2pm.

Nearby businesses and schools will be open as usual.

Because of the limited seating in St Saviour’s, the whole service will be relayed to a large screen being erected at nearby St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

Warm drinks and cakes will be served before the funeral to mourners not able to watch the service inside either church, and receptions are taking place after in St Saviour’s and St Mary’s church halls.

Limited parking will be available in Thorncliffe Sports and Recreational Ground off Mortomley Close but, where possible, attendees are asked to park away from the immediate area and walk the remaining distance.

Mr Greaves was attacked on Greengate Lane at around 11.10pm on Christmas Eve.

The funeral is to be an open and public celebration of his life rather than a sombre service, and Maureen is preparing to deliver a eulogy herself in memory of her husband.

Mr Greaves was rushed to hospital after being found collapsed on the ground just 250 yards from St Saviour’s by a pizza delivery driver. He underwent a four-hour operation but died from severe head injuries three days later.

Ashley Foster, 21, and Jonathan Bowling, 22, have been remanded in custody charged with murder. A provisional trial date in June has been set, and the men will next appear at court in April. Two other men are on bail.